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  #1  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:02 AM
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jbagley jbagley is offline
 
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Default Catto 2-blade or 3-blade prop?

Decisions decisions... Hoping some of you can weigh in and help me decide. I'm currently flying with a wood 2-bladed sensenich and reasonably happy with the performance. But, faster is better and it rains a lot here in Oregon so I have some concern over how the wood prop will hold up over time.

3-blade catto:
+ more ground clearance
+ looks better
+ smoother (subjective)
- more expensive
- harder to remove cowling

2-blade catto:
+ faster?
+ lighter
+ cheaper
- less ground clearance
- more vibration?

Or is the 2-blade versus 3-blade question one of those never ending debates?
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  #2  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:20 AM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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I have (2) three blades and (1) two blade I fly with. Three blade IS smoother hands down. Two blade will climb better hands down. If you do the cut out mod/trim to the cowl as in the past RVAtor, the cowl on/off issue goes away for the three blade. And yes, the three blade looks awesome on the plane!

Ground clearance with either is not an issue. And as to cost... well in AMU's they're both cheap.
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  #3  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:24 AM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Location: Atlanta, GA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeofReiley View Post
If you do the cut out mod/trim to the cowl as in the past RVAtor, the cowl on/off issue goes away for the three blade.
Got a link for that? I'm not aware of that mod and find getting the lower cowl on/off to be a PITA.

Thanks,
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  #4  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:30 AM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright View Post
Got a link for that? I'm not aware of that mod and find getting the lower cowl on/off to be a PITA.

Thanks,
Let me look it up... should be in the file cabinet.
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  #5  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:32 AM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright View Post
Got a link for that? I'm not aware of that mod and find getting the lower cowl on/off to be a PITA.

Thanks,
4th issue 2007 page 15, written by Scott McDaniels, head of Van's Prototype Shop...

I believe there's another example relating to this issue maybe it was a 2005 issue, I'll dig around a little more.
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Last edited by LifeofReiley : 10-16-2011 at 11:36 AM.
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  #6  
Old 10-16-2011, 03:57 PM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
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Get tree and debate will end James
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  #7  
Old 10-17-2011, 07:00 AM
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uk_figs uk_figs is offline
 
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Default another request for copy of the mod

Last oil change was the first with the 3 blade catto installed, needed two of us to install the lower cowl. Very interested in a mod that will make it easier.
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  #8  
Old 10-17-2011, 09:28 AM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_figs View Post
Last oil change was the first with the 3 blade catto installed, needed two of us to install the lower cowl. Very interested in a mod that will make it easier.
I'll scan a copy to your email...
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  #9  
Old 10-18-2011, 06:30 PM
be35 be35 is offline
 
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LifeofReiley - me too? I cannot locate that article and it will come in very handy.
Thanks
Bob
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  #10  
Old 10-18-2011, 06:33 PM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by be35 View Post
LifeofReiley - me too? I cannot locate that article and it will come in very handy.
Thanks
Bob
Same here. Even a .pdf by email would be great.
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